Design Bookshelf: 5 Inspiring Textile Tomes

Some of us go wild over designer chairs. Others pine over vintage pottery or indie artwork. But many of us, especially those who also adore fashion, are on a ceaseless quest for gorgeous textiles. They can be hung from the walls, draped on tables, made into unique bedding, and used to reupholster tired furniture and pillows. If you're this type of decorator, here are some books to fuel your obsession.

• Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge is a jaw-dropping look at modern textile design, including photos of works-in-progess and digital drawings. $35 at Laurence King Publishing.• For all of you midcentury mavens: Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s and 40s, Starting at $38(used) at Amazon.• Textiles Now is a fantastically inspiring book with over 400 photos from 100 contemporary designers. $35 at Chronicle Books. • A retrospective of the beloved design house's iconic fabrics. Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010 features biographies of 80 designers who worked with Knoll as well as plenty of pictures. $75 at Yale University Press. • A good choice for those who collect textiles on their travels and want tips on how to display them. Living with Decorative Textiles: Tribal Arts from Africa, Asia and the Americas, Starting at $18(used) at Amazon.

Kathleen is a freelance editor who lives in Chicago. She loves eclectic rooms, traveling with her family, and feeding anyone who steps foot in her house. She theoretically hates clutter, but can’t stop buying books and craft supplies.